? By all accounts, staff at IJH had reduced use of seclusion and physical restraints by 98 percent at the time closure was announced.

? Testimony in State Senate Human Resources Committee hearings revealed that IJH provided reports to DHS, accounting for every minute of seclusion and every incidence of restraint, with DHS not identifying any "excessive use" or providing corrective action.

? DHS failed to provide "best practices" training to IJH staff and did not seek licensure of the facility.

? Branstad failed to appoint a full-time superintendent and clinical director at IJH for months prior to closure.

? More than $23 million of Iowa taxpayer money has been invested in facility improvements at IJH in recent years.

? DHS failed to identify inadequate cottage facilities and failed to advocate for upgrades, allowing Branstad to now claim cottages are unsafe.

? Branstad's decision results in eliminating the largest employer in Toledo and upending the lives of 93 dedicated, hardworking and professional employees who had no hand in creating this turmoil.

How, by any stretch of the imagination, can Branstad continue to claim that he has "no interest in returning to the status quo and is doing what is in the best interest of the children"?

Connie Sarchet

Iowa City

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Branstad wrong on juvenile home

Let me see if I get this straight. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has chosen to close the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo even though: